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Style guide for journalists: 'Look at the elders'

19/03/2012

The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) is an independent coalition of NGOs and other groups involved in the fight against poverty and social exclusion.

In the context of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, EAPN Spain presented in the headquarters of the European Commission Representation in Madrid the style guide for journalists "Look at the elders" ("Mira a las personas mayores").

During the presentation of the handbook, Carlos Susías, President of EAPN Spain, highlighted the responsibility of the media in the fight against stereotypes about older people and senior citizens. "A lot of times, media's approach to older people depicts them as passive and dependent subjects, when reality shows that they are active participants of our society", he said.

The style guide offers updated data, facts and terms which will be useful for media professionals. The document also raises awareness about the language that media professionals generally use when approaching news that deal with the elderly.

The aim of this initiative is to contribute to a more realistic portrayal of older people in the news, and improving the quality of the information that is published about senior citizens.